Transverse muscle biofeedback in the pre and postpartum rehab

Do you now understand why pelvic floor reeducation is so important? Before AND after childbirth? And in this perineal reeducation, the transverse muscle is essential.

Although perineal reeducation is not mandatory during and after pregnancy, it is strongly recommended. It's no secret that a woman's body undergoes a lot of changes during the 9 months of pregnancy. Mother Nature's got it right, doesn't she? Yes, but it's not as simple as that. And above all, it's not without consequences.

During the 9 months of gestation, the woman's uterus expands to make room for the baby, weakening its functions. At the same time, the weight of the fetus will press on the mother-to-be's lower abdomen, adding pressure on the perineum and bladder. And that's without counting childbirth.

Do you now understand why pelvic floor reeducation is so important? Before AND after childbirth? And in this perineal reeducation, the transverse muscle is essential. It ensures pelvic stability and acts like a natural corset to support the internal organs and maintain optimal pelvic floor function. As a result, it limits the risk of stress urinary incontinence, back pain or bladder prolapse.

The transversus abdominis muscle in childbirth preparation

Preparing for childbirth is an essential part of pregnancy, and strengthening the transversus abdominis can play a valuable role in this process. Strengthening and toning the transversus abdominis can contribute to the stability of the pelvic floor during pregnancy, and help prepare the body for childbirth.

And that's not all. The transversus abdominis is a key organ in the breathing process. It improves respiratory control, teaching deep, diaphragmatic breathing techniques that promote relaxation and help manage pain during labor. It can also facilitate the expulsion of the baby by helping the mother to achieve more controlled and, above all, more efficient pushes on exhalation.

Great, isn't it? But how can we work it if it's a muscle we don't even know about, and above all, don't see? This is where the precious technique of biofeedback of the transverse muscle comes in. Biofeedback enables pregnant women to visualize and understand transverse muscle activation. This promotes greater body awareness and facilitates active engagement of the transverse muscle.

Mothers-to-be can test different birthing positions with the device to find THE position in which they feel most comfortable, and in which they have good transverse muscle engagement. Mothers-to-be are reassured and feel as ready as they can be for the birth of their child.

The use of biofeedback in postpartum rehabilitation

If the mother has already worked the transverse muscle during her pregnancy, and is aware of it, she's already halfway there. But unfortunately, that's not enough to escape post-partum rehabilitation. After childbirth, pelvic floor re-education is of great importance for the recovery and rehabilitation of the pelvic floor. It aims to strengthen and restore the capacity of all these muscles (including the transverse muscle), which have undergone a great deal of tension and distension.

Transverse muscle rehabilitation plays an important role in this pelvic floor -education. And in this context, biofeedback enables the mother to reconnect with her transverse muscle and strengthen its commitment. This can be particularly beneficial for women who have experienced a caesarean section, as this procedure can weaken the transverse muscle.

By using biofeedback, women can gradually relearn to activate their transverse muscle in a targeted way, thereby reinforcing pelvic stability, improving pelvic floor function and reducing the risk of bladder leakage or bladder prolapse. The advantage of using the Blueback Physio in this context is that we can put the woman in all the situations of her daily life, while checking the activation of the transverse muscle. It's fun and motivating for the woman who can see her evolution, and above all... it's not just another vaginal probe...!